Chrysler Repair: 1998 T&C:intermittent no crank, cluster gauges and trans indication, parking brake cable, fuel guage

Question
Sometimes when I try to start the van it does nothing. I can tell it is going to happen because when the key is in the on position the transmission indicator, fuel guage, and odometer will not work. Sometimes turning the key on and off will "fix it". Also sometimes the van will start but the above will not work including the speedometer and tac. Today it started and cut off within 5 secongs then would do nothing so I read your post on neutral safety switches and relays, went out to see if the relay clicked and of course everything started up like the thing was new. In addition the other day this occurred with my wife. She let it set, then it started but with no guages speedometer etc.. She started back down the road and after a couple of miles everything started working again. Any ideas?  Thank you very much

Answer
Hi Mike,
I am thinking that there is a poor connection in your ignition switch that is causing an intermittent loss of power to either fuse #2 or #6 in the junction block under the dash. So when this happens, don't touch the key, leave it on the "on" position and immediately check to see if you have 12V on those fuses. If not, then I would suggest trying to spray the interior of the actual ignition switch with electrical contact cleaner. You can get to it by removing 4 or so screws from the underdash panel to the left of the column, release the parking brake cable from the handle (rear side of panel) with a needle nose which then allows the panel to drop out of the way, then remove the shroud on the underside of the column itself, and you will see the electrical switch box that is operated by the key. Look for some holes/cracks in the box thru which you can spray the contact cleaner so as to possibly improve the contacts. Then try the key again while checking for voltage on those same fuses. They are responsible for providing power to the instrument cluster, powertrain module, and transmission module all of which are involved in the symptoms you are having.
Roland